The last golden rays of the sun slipped through the curtains and fell on the Shoran Mani embedded on the forehead of Ahichatra Naresh.

Ashwatthama was looking into some documents of the state when a big eagle flew in through the window and sat right in front of him.

He recognised the bird and a frown appeared on his face. He fed the bird some treats and untied the letter it carried.

Duryodhan has written from Kalinga.

Priya Mitra,

I have reached Dantapura safely this morning. It's a beautiful place, refreshing and relaxing. I can see the waves of the ocean hitting the shore from my chamber. If I had time, I would have loved to take a bath in the sea.

I don't know why you refused to attend the Swayam Var of Kalinga Kumari. Although Mitra Karna and Dushasan are here, but you know the more, the merrier. Mitra Karna is also not taking part in the Swayam Var, though I insist on him.

Anyways, the Swayam Var is tomorrow. Princess Bhanumati is going to be my wife, by any means. I have already told you about everything in my previous letter.

If I have to abduct Bhanumati, I don't think Pitamah Bhishma or Kaka Shree Vidur will be very happy about it and welcome me with open arms in Hastinapur. And honestly, I don't care what they think. So, to have a hazard-free wedding, I have to either go to Gandhar or Northern Panchal or Anga.

Anga will be the closest to Kalinga. So, I have decided I will get married in Anga Desh.

But the problem is, how can I get married without my family? My own true family.

Mitra Karna, you, Sakhi Tiasha, My dear sister Dushala, my brothers, Mama Shree Shakuni you are my family. I would also like Mata and Pita Shree to be present there but, I think you know already that their royal duties are much more important than their children. It pains me but what more can I do? I can't change what's been happening for years in one moment, right?

I have already written to Mama Shree, he will bring my brothers and Dushala to Anga.

But I don't think Pitamah will let Sakhi Tiasha join them. And then again I don't think Mama Shree will want to have her with him on the journey. He doesn't like Sakhi for some unknown reason.

I want you to come to Anga but before that, I want to ask you to do something. I know you can do this Ashwa.

Go to Hastinapur tonight and bring Sakhi with you to Anga. Don't tell her anything about abducting Bhanumati. I myself will tell her everything at the appropriate time.

Please, can you do that for me, Mitra?

Yours,
Duryodhan.

Ashwatthama sighed and looked outside. He can never turn down his friend's request, Can he? If he wants to reach Hastinapur tonight he needs to leave now. 

Ashwatthama called his Chief Minister and Informed him that he needed to go to Anga for a few days. He went to the stable and mounted the fastest and his favourite white stallion.

He rode on the stallion as fast as he could. It almost felt like the horse was flying instead of running. As the horse dashed through the dark forest Ashwatthama's thoughts also ran, maybe even faster than the horse. An unknown indescribable but warm feeling spread inside his chest. For his friend, he is practically going to kidnap Tiasha. Is this even right? Yes, yes it is, if she comes willingly. 

After that what if they don't go to Anga? What if he changes his mind and just runs away with her? Is that right? It is if she agrees. 

He would bring her to his palace. If she comes, the palace will be shining with happiness, just like it did when she was there for his coronation. They will get married and she will be his queen. She will wait for him every night to come back from court. And they will have many many small babies together. A pleasant smile spread on his lips and his cheeks flashed. 

He Drona Putra Ashwatthama, whose only goal in life was to become a warrior, of whom his father will be proud of, is now thinking about marriage? And having children? What did she do to him? When did she change his heart?

Is this what they call love? But they never say it's supposed to feel like that. They didn't say it's going to keep you up all night. They didn't say it's going to make you feel completely defenceless in front of that one person. They didn't say, it's going to feel like a poisoned arrow has pierced your heart when you see her with other men. They didn't say any of this. 

--

A number of oil lamps illuminated Tiasha's chamber. The cool silver moonlight came through the balcony and fell straight on the large mirror which reflected the light on her canvas. 

Painting can sometimes be a fun challenge here. She doesn't have all the readymade colours to paint with. So, she makes colours from different things. Like yellow from turmeric, black from the charcoal, grey from the ash from the kitchen, and Different shades of green from different trees and plants in the garden. And many more. The palace garden of Hastinapur is full of flowers of different colours. Making colours from scratch was fun in itself. She enjoys the process.

Entire Hastinapur was asleep but Tiasha for some reason was again not blessed by Nidra. She was swatching a bunch of newly made paints on a blank canvas when she heard a light trump sound from her balcony. A shadow of a figure fell on the canvas and Tiasha's hand reached to the back of her head. 

The figure neared and stood right behind her. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and then turned around at a lightning speed holding her super sharp and pointy ivory hairpin at the intruder's throat.

Ashwatthama took a step back and saw Tiasha's waist-length wavy brown hair, which was held by the hairpin, now tumbling down her back. For a moment, He forgot the world outside and his chestnut brown orbs got lost in the depths of the dark brown pools.

-"Easy there! It's just me!" Ashwatthama whispered. He lowered the sharp pin with a gentle force of his index finger. His eyes set at Tiasha's.

Feeling a little uncomfortable and embarrassed Tiasha looked away from Ashwatthama's intense gaze. Light red colour dusted her cheeks realising their closeness. To act confident she took a step back, tying her hair in a low bun and returning the pin to its original place. She sighed, shook her head and said with a slight frown, "What are you planning to steal?"

A mischievous smirk played on Ashwatthama's lips. He replied, "You."

Tiasha looked at him with wide eyes. She hasn't fully recovered yet, from what just happened and he goes on saying something like that? Her jaw dropped and blinking and not believing her own ears she asked, "What?" Her already hot cheeks acquire more temperature.

Ashwatthama laughed, "Your Sakha, My dear Mitra Duryodhan wants me to bring you to Anga."

-"And that made you climb walls and sneak through my balcony?" Tiasha's frown deepened and her hands rested on her hips.

-"Well, he thinks Mahamahim and Mahamantri won't be too happy if Duryodhan Abdu..." Ashwatthama stopped mid-sentence and averted his eyes. He bit the tip of his tongue inside his mouth, scolding himself for letting it slip.

The frown changed and her eyes narrowed, "If he abducts Bhanumati, against her will. So, he decided or rather Gandhar Raj decided that the wedding should happen in Anga. And I am pretty sure Pitamah will not let me go there. I assume he also guessed that and that's why sent you to practically kidnap me and bring me to Anga."

Now it was Ashwatthama's turn to look at her with wide eyes, "How do you..."

Tiasha's eyes flashed worry for a fraction of second but Ashwatthama missed it. Tiasha cut him off in a hurry and said, "Aren't we getting late?"

-"Wait, really?"

-"I am not going for your dear Mitra rather I must go for that poor girl. I don't want her to feel insecure and intimidated between all these huge temples of muscles." Tiasha pointed at Ashwatthama's biceps.

-"Hey!" 

-"Do you even have a plan? So that I can go out from here without raising any suspicion."

Ashwatthama scratched the back of his neck and said in a sheepish tone, "Well, you can just climb down from the balcony and nobody will..."

-"Hopeless..." Tiasha threw him a pointed look, "...You think I can just climb down the balcony and get away with it? Within a matter of seconds, an entire task force will be on a lookout for me."

-"So, what do we do?"

-"Just like you came, sneak back away and wait for me in Mahadev's temple near Shudra Palli. I will be there in half an hour." Ashwatthama was about to ask something but Tiasha stopped him, "No question now. I will answer everything once we meet at the temple."

Ashwatthama nodded and eyed Tiasha for a second. Then he left through the balcony without saying another word.

Tiasha called her most trusted company, "Malika, can to please go and see if Rajmata is still awake? If she is then I want to see her." Malika bowed her head and followed what she was asked to do.

Kunti was wide awake in her chamber, sitting in front of a small black stone-made Vishnu Murti. Malika entered the chamber and bowing down to Kunti she said, "Pranam Rajmata, Kumari Tiasha seeks to talk to you." 

Kunti nodded silently giving permission. Malika went back to Tiasha's chamber.

-"Kumari, Rajmata gave permission." Malika said standing at the doorstep.

Tiasha pulled Malika in and looked outside if anyone was there.

Malika has become Tiasha's most trusted companion in Hastinapur palace. Soon after Tiasha came to Hastinapur palace, she found out some of the guards often tormented Malika and other dasis. Tiasha did what she had to do. She immediately reported everything to Mahamahim Bhishma and got the guards to apologise to the women. Those guards were fired from their jobs and imprisoned for three months. Malika and her subordinates in gratitude became the eyes and ears of Tiasha around the castle. They were ready to take an arrow on their chest for their Kumari Tiasha. And Tiasha knows she could trust them blindly.

-"Listen to me very carefully, Malika. I need to go to Anga and nobody should know." 

Malika nodded and carefully listened to the instructions. 

-"Now, I shall go see Rajmata. You understood everything, right?"

-"You don't worry at all Kumari, no one will have even the slightest idea that you are not in Hastinapur."

-"Thank you, Malika. I don't know what I will do, without you." Tiasha smiled at her and left to see Kunti.

A few minutes later Tiasha comes inside and stands near Kunti. 

-"Putri, you wanted to talk to me? Is there any problem?" Kunti asks looking up at Tiasha's slightly nervous face. Kunti offers a small smile to encourage Tiasha to talk. 

-"Mata, one of the dasis just informed me, Radha Maa, I mean Angaraj's mother is very ill. Angaraj is not here, so Mata can I go see her?"

A few lines of worry formed on Kunti's forehead, "But Putri, this late at night..."

-"Don't worry Mata, I will bring some soldiers and Malika with me...I will be fine."

Kunti sighed. She looked at Tiasha's distressed face and said, "OK, but shall I send Raj Vaidya with you?"

-"No no Mata, no need to disturb Raj Vaidya besides I don't think Adhiratha Mahoday or Radha Maa would like that. But if needed, I will call for him."

Kunti agreed and let Tiasha go.

Some guards and Malika accompanied Tiasha to Adhiratha's house in Shudra Palli. Tiasha told the guards to go back.

-"But Kumari..." The guards tried to protest but Tiasha's hard tone dismissed them. They went back to the Palace. Tiasha told them, that Radha Maa and Adhiratha Mahoday wouldn't like it, so, they needed to go back.

Malika followed Tiasha inside the house carrying Tiasha's small bag with her. Tiasha knocked at Adhiratha's door and waited. 

After a few knocks, Radha appeared at the door holding an oil lamp in her hands. The last string of sleep vanished from Radha's eyes when she saw Tiasha standing at the doorstep. 

-"What happened Putri? Is everything alright?" Radha fussed over Tiasha. 

-"Everything is fine maa. Quick, let us in." Tiasha tugged Radha inside and Malika followed. 

-"What is it, Putri? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" Radha panicked. Adhiratha came from inside and was shocked to see Tiasha there.

-"Maa listen to me carefully, I need to go to Anga. And nobody should know about it..." 

Radha's panic increased. She asked, "Is my Vasu ok?"

Tiasha assured her, "Yes Maa, he is ok, no need to worry. I have some important work in Anga. I will explain everything when I come back. But nobody should know about it. I have told Mata Kunti that you are ill, that's why I have to stay with you for a few days. Can you cover up for me Maa? Please?"

Radha sighed and looked at Adhiratha. Adhiratha looked curiously at Tiasha and asked, "What do we have to do?"

Tiasha smiled, "Nothing much if anyone asks about Radha maa then you just need to say, she is resting." 

Radha held Tiasha's face and said, "Whatever you are doing, just be careful."

Tiasha nodded smiling. Tiasha looked at Malika and she handed her her dhoti, vest and veil. Tiasha dressed herself and covered her face. She touched Radha and Adhiratha's feet and they blessed her.

Malika and Tiasha came out through the back door of the house. Tiasha gave a firm nod to Malika and she smiled at her. 

-"Malika, please take care of Vati until I come back." Malika nodded and they went their separate ways. Malika back to the palace and Tiasha towards the temple.

Ashwatthama sat on the steps of the small temple waiting for Tiasha, his horse tied to one of the pillars of the temple. After almost half an hour a small figure dressed in a dhoti and vest appeared in the dark. The figure had their face covered. Ashwatthama became alert his hand placed at the hilt of his sword. 

The figure approached him and he gripped his sword hard. Tiasha removed the veil and a sigh left Ashwatthama's lips. His rigid posture relaxed. 

Tiasha looked around, "I hope you are not planning for us to walk all the way to Anga." 

Ashwatthama realised his mistake. He should have brought a chariot.

He said in an embarrassed tone, "I haven't brought a chariot, sorry."

Tiasha asked a little irritated, "Now, what?"

A bright blush appeared on Ashwatthama's cheek. Much to his relief the red colour was not visible to Tiasha in the moonlight. 

He cleared his throat and said, "Well, my horse is strong enough to carry two people."

Tiasha went silent. They stood in an awkward silence looking at the flowing water to avoid each other's eyes. 

-"Well, I...I don't see any other means of transport." the slight shake of her voice didn't go unnoticed by Ashwatthama. He smirked. 

-"Come." He unleashed the horse and jumped up on its back. He offered his hand to Tiasha and she took it with a little hesitation. A spark of electricity went through their system as he pulled her up making her sit sideways right in front of him. 

-"Hold on to me tight." Ashwatthama looked straight ahead trying to avoid Tiasha's eyes. Tiasha gave a curt nod and held his shoulder. Ashwatthama's arms went around her waist holding the reins of the horse. 

The white stallion dashed through the villages of Hastinapur neighing occasionally. Other than that a silence prevailed between its two riders as both of their minds ran even faster than the horse in their own world of thoughts. 

-XX-

This Chapter is looong! But I don't know about the content in it, it's not the best I have written so far. You know there are some chapters that I am really proud of, Yeah, this is not one of them. It's a little messy I guess but well Ashwatthama takes the main character spotlight in this one. 

Thank you for reading and supporting. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Take care, Adiós, my lovely readers ❤️.